When you are planning a move in New York City, one of the most confusing questions is what is actually included in professional packing services. In practical terms, a good packing service should cover the materials, labor, labeling, and protection needed to get everything ready for safe loading and transport, with clear rules about what is and is not packed. Many reputable moving companies also offer optional unpacking and debris removal at the destination.
This guide explains exactly what is included in packing services with 5 Stars Movers NYC, what you can add on, and where the line is drawn for items movers will not pack.
What Is Included In Your Packing Services?
Short answer: standard packing services include professional packers, all agreed materials, systematic room by room packing, box labeling, and basic protection for floors and doorways, with optional unpacking, furniture assembly, and debris removal depending on the package you choose.
For a typical New York City move, the core inclusions from a professional packing team look like this:
- Trained packers who follow tested techniques for fragile and bulky items
- Appropriate cartons, tape, paper, and cushioning for the agreed scope
- Systematic packing of each room and category
- Box labeling with room names and basic contents
- Protection for doorways and key surfaces while crews work
- Coordination with your move date and building rules
At 5 Stars Movers NYC, based at 347 E 104th St, New York, NY 10029, packing services are integrated with full moving, labor help, loading, unloading, and storage for households across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and nearby areas.
What Do You Pack Room By Room?
Whole home packing structure
When you choose full packing, crews usually work room by room, starting with low priority spaces and ending with daily essentials. Industry best practice is to group items by room and type so they can be unloaded efficiently on the other end.
Typical coverage includes:
- Kitchen and dining
- Dishes, glassware, mugs, cookware
- Small appliances, utensils, pantry items that are safe to move
- Table decor and fragile serving pieces
- Living room and family spaces
- Books, decor, lamps, small electronics
- Media, framed photos, cushions and throws
- Bedrooms and closets
- Folded clothing, boxed shoes, accessories
- Bedside items, decor, linens and bedding
- Home office
- Books, files, non sensitive paperwork, office supplies
- Packed electronics per agreed protocol
- Utility and storage spaces
- Non hazardous tools, seasonal decorations, safe stored items
The goal is to leave you with a clear path through the home while gradually moving everything into labeled cartons ready for loading.
Do Packing Services Include Unpacking?
Short answer: unpacking is usually an optional add on that can include box opening, surface placement, light organization, and debris removal, but it is rarely bundled automatically.
Many full service movers offer several levels of unpacking services, for example:
- Opening all cartons and placing items on appropriate surfaces
- Reassembling furniture that was taken apart for transport
- Basic cabinet or closet organization for key rooms
- Collecting and hauling away empty boxes, paper, and plastic
Some national providers explicitly list debris removal and box pickup as part of their unpacking offerings, returning within a set time window after delivery to clear the materials.
With 5 Stars Movers NYC, unpacking and debris removal can be added to your move plan, typically covering:
- Unpacking selected rooms such as kitchen and bedroom
- Reassembly of standard furniture that the crew disassembled
- Consolidation or removal of flattened cartons and packing waste
You decide whether to:
- Skip unpacking and handle it yourself
- Add unpacking for priority rooms only
- Opt for more extensive unpacking and debris removal if you want the quickest setup
Will Packers Disassemble And Reassemble Furniture?
Short answer: yes, most professional moving and packing services include basic furniture disassembly and reassembly as part of the move, especially for items that cannot safely fit through doors, elevators, or stairways, but highly specialized items may require extra handling.
Typical furniture handling that is included
Standard packing and moving scope usually covers:
- Removing table legs where necessary
- Taking apart simple bed frames and headboards
- Disassembling modular sofas or sectionals when required
- Removing mirrors from dressers
- Protecting surfaces with pads and stretch wrap
These tasks are part of ensuring items can move safely through tight NYC spaces and survive loading and transit.
When furniture may require special treatment
Some items fall outside basic inclusion and need a specific plan:
- High end modular systems with complex hardware
- Custom built ins
- Large glass surfaces or stone tops
- Pianos and specialty instruments
- Fitness equipment with electronics
In these cases, movers may:
- Recommend a third party disassembly service
- Apply an extra handling fee
- Suggest that the manufacturer’s technician handle sensitive components
When you book with 5 Stars Movers NYC, the pre move discussion will flag any items that need special preparation so you know what is covered and what is not before move day.
What Items Will Professional Packers Not Pack?
Short answer: professional packers will not pack hazardous materials, many liquids, perishables, pets, or certain high value or irreplaceable personal items because of safety, legal, and liability rules.
Common categories that are excluded
Most moving industry guidance and company policies agree on a few non negotiable categories:
- Hazardous and flammable items
Paint, solvents, gasoline, propane, lighter fluid, fireworks, acids, strong cleaners, and many aerosols are prohibited because they are combustible or corrosive. - Compressed gases and fuels
Propane tanks, fuel in mowers or grills, some scuba tanks, and oxygen bottles are usually excluded. - Perishable foods and plants
Fresh or frozen foods, open food containers, and live houseplants are often refused, especially on longer moves, because they spoil or die during transit. - Certain personal and high value items
Cash, jewelry, important documents, collections, and some medications are usually recommended to travel with you, not in the moving truck.
If you are unsure about a specific item, a simple rule of thumb from many movers is: if it is not allowed in regular trash or on commercial carriers, movers probably will not load it either.
How this affects your packing plan
Before packing day you should:
- Clear out hazardous products according to local disposal rules
- Plan to move perishables and plants yourself
- Set aside valuables and critical documents to travel with you
- Ask your move coordinator for a written “do not pack” list
5 Stars Movers NYC follows standard safety guidelines to protect your household, their crew, and the building, so anything that falls into these banned categories must be handled outside the packing service.
Do Movers Label And Inventory All Boxes?
Short answer: yes, professional packers label every box with at least a room and basic description, and for larger or longer moves they often create a detailed inventory list that maps box numbers to contents.
Standard labeling that is included
Correct labeling is part of what you are paying for. Expect packers to:
- Mark each carton with the room name, such as “Kitchen” or “Primary Bedroom”
- Add a short description, such as “Pots and pans” or “Books”
- Mark “Fragile” clearly on boxes that contain breakables
- Note orientation if needed, for example “This side up”
Best practice guidance from packing and shipping experts emphasizes clear labels and weight appropriate packing as key factors in reducing damage and speeding up unloading.
When you may get a formal inventory
For larger or more complex moves, movers may also:
- Number each box
- Maintain a written or digital inventory with box numbers and key contents
- Use inventory tags on furniture and bulky items
This type of inventory is especially common for long distance or storage moves, where items will be handled multiple times in transit.
With 5 Stars Movers NYC, you can request:
- Simple room and content labeling for local moves
- A more detailed inventory and numbering system for long distance or storage projects
What Packing Materials Are Included?
Short answer: a proper packing service includes professional grade cartons, tape, and protective materials suitable for the agreed scope, with specialty materials or custom crating added as needed.
Standard materials you can expect
Most packing packages include:
- Moving boxes in multiple sizes
- Heavy duty tape and dispensers
- Packing paper and newsprint alternatives
- Bubble wrap or foam for fragiles
- Wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes
- Dish or glass packs for kitchens when required
Packaging experts consistently recommend double walled cartons, individual wrapping, proper cushioning, and partitions for fragile items, which is exactly what professional movers use.
Specialty materials and custom solutions
Depending on your inventory, you might also see:
- Mirror and picture cartons for wall art
- Mattress bags
- TV boxes or crates
- Custom wooden crates for high value or odd shaped pieces
These may be included in a flat packing price or listed as separate line items. When you work with 5 Stars Movers NYC, your estimate will specify whether materials are bundled or billed separately, so you know exactly what is covered.
Add On Services You Can Include With Packing
Beyond core packing, many movers offer additional services that can be layered on for a more complete solution. Industry examples include:
- Partial packing
Only certain rooms or categories, such as kitchen and fragile items. - Fragile only packing
Professional wrapping and boxing of glass, dishes, artwork, electronics, and collectors’ items. - Unpacking and basic setup
Opening boxes, placing items on surfaces, reconstructing beds and large furniture. - Debris removal
Returning to pick up empty boxes and packing waste within a set timeframe. - Short or long term storage
Packing directly into storage vaults or units for delayed delivery.
At 5 Stars Movers NYC, these options can be combined with your packing services so you can choose a minimal, mid range, or fully hands off move.
How 5 Stars Movers NYC Delivers Packing Services In NYC
5 Stars Movers NYC is a licensed, insured moving company providing local, long distance, commercial, piano, packing, storage, and moving labor help from its base at 347 E 104th St, New York, NY 10029.
Service areas
The company serves neighborhoods across:
- Manhattan, including Upper East Side, Harlem, Midtown East, SoHo, and the Financial District
- Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and nearby communities
- Selected surrounding regions for long distance projects
What is included when you book packing with 5 Stars Movers NYC
When you add packing to your move, you can expect:
- A planning call or survey to define scope and materials
- Clear written estimate showing labor and materials
- Professional crews arriving with all necessary supplies
- Systematic room by room packing and labeling
- Protection for key surfaces while work is underway
- Coordination with building rules, elevators, and COI requirements
- Optional unpacking and debris removal if you request it
You can choose full home packing, fragile only, or customized partial packing to match your budget and risk tolerance.
How To Prepare For Packing Day
To get the most value out of your packing service:
- Declutter aggressively first
Do not pay to pack and move items you no longer want. - Separate “do not pack” items
Medications, documents, valuables, and banned items should be in a clearly marked no pack zone. - Decide on unpacking and debris removal upfront
If you want help setting up quickly, it is easier to build it into the initial plan. - Confirm building requirements
Check elevator reservations, move hours, and certificate of insurance needs with your building so your mover can comply. - Walk the crew through priorities
On packing day, show crews fragile zones, high priority rooms, and any items that need special attention.
Summary: What Is Included And What You Control
To recap:
- Standard packing services cover professional labor, appropriate materials, room by room packing, and labeled cartons.
- Unpacking, furniture reassembly, and debris removal are usually available as add ons.
- Movers will not pack hazardous, perishable, or certain high value personal items, and you need a plan for those.
- You can scale services from full packing to fragile only, depending on your budget and comfort with DIY.
If you are planning a move anywhere in New York City and want clarity about what is included in packing services, contact 5 Stars Movers NYC at (212) 372 7489 to review your home, inventory, and timeline and get a written plan that spells out exactly what will and will not be packed.
